Look out for: Blackpool

Players

Derek Adams has only two injury concerns ahead of the game with Karleigh Osborne and Ryan Brunt still unavailable. Gary Miller is back in contention after sitting out the 2-0 victory against Mansfield; the right back had to serve a one match suspension carried over from his time in Scotland, which was delayed by an administrative error by the Scottish FA. Craig Tanner, who returned to Argyle on loan from Reading, is also in contention for a starting place.

When Argyle make the 320 mile trip to Blackpool they may come up against two former players who last played for the Greens at Wembley. Kelvin Mellor, who was offered an extended contract and Jamille Matt, who was on loan from Fleetwood at the time, both decided to further their careers away from Home Park. On Thursday, Blackpool also announced the signing of Jack Payne, a midfielder once linked with Argyle, who spent last season on loan at League Two outfit Leyton Orient.

A player of note at Blackpool is striker Mark Cullen, who was the club’s top scorer last season with ten goals, albeit in a difficult campaign. The prolific forward has already netted once this term in the 1-1 draw at Barnet.

Management

Derek Adams has seen his team come into this fixtute on a two-game winning run, coming after three defeats from their first three games at the start of the season.  Adams has mentioned the word ‘momentum’ and the fact that this has to continue to surround the players. “Last season was a very good season for us and we want to take it on to the next step,” stated Adams, indicating that both himself and the players want to achieve promotion this season, so momentum and stability is huge for the team.

Following Blackpool’s relegation to League Two, Gary Bowyer was named manager of the Seasiders on a one-year rolling contract as Neil McDonald left his role by mutual consent at the end of last season. Bowyer has seen his coaching career span eighteen years at Carshalton Athletic and three stints at Blackburn Rovers, two of which were as a caretaker. Gary most recent club was in fact Blackburn Rovers from 2013-2015.

Tactics

Graham Carey has stated the Mansfield win “was the most enjoyable game of football he has played this season.” The reasoning behind this statement is that Adams gave Carey free license to roam in his favoured position in behind striker Jimmy Spencer. This tactic is likely to be used again by Argyle on Saturday. Also, as the return of Craig Tanner was announced before last Saturday’s game, Derek Adams has now got the choice of at least some width in his team.

Argyle’s management have recently favoured a 4-3-3 formation, and this tactical alteration has been used in the victories over Notts County and Mansfield Town. This formation may well continue to be used at Bloomfield Road.

Eight of the first team players who participated against St Austell on Tuesday evening in the reserve fixture will be in contention on Saturday.

Opposition Tactics

Blackpool, who may well have two former Pilgrims in their starting line-up, like to get the ball into the box early, with high balls from defence and from the wings. Argyles’ defence would have to be wary of Blackpool’s play if they were to use the tactic.

In their last game against Wycombe, the Seasiders started off very slowly with it taking until the 35th minute before they got into the swing of the game. In this fixture, Blackpool dominated possession but were unable to make their opportunities count with only two shots on target. The home team will have to be on their toes if Argyle start the way they did against Mansfield last Saturday.

Head to Head

Plymouth Argyle will travel to Bloomfield Road for the first time in seven seasons as they face each other in League Two. The last fixture, which took place in on 1st October 2009, was in the Championship, where the Seasiders won 2-0 with goals scored infamously by Argyle loanee Marcel Seip, as well as David Vaughan. Problems have occurred off the pitch for both sides since that time, and both are still rebuilding in their own ways.

The first time these two teams met was in The FA Cup in 1929 at Home Park. Argyle came out 3-0 winners in this fixture with Sammy Black hitting the back of the net three times. The first time they met in the League was in 1933 at Home Park, with Argyle losing 3-0.